17. Teaching with Stories and Symbols

(Activity L-5, Grade Level: K-6)

Source:

"Teaching with Stories and Symbols" and "Story Boxes" were developed by Thea Canizo of Project ARTIST at the University of Arizona, Tucson. Reprinted with permission from Science Scope magazine, March 1994 issue. Copyright ©1994 National Science Teachers Association, 1840 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, VA 22201-3000. The Sun signs were reprinted with permission from Indian Designs, by David and Jean Villasenor. Copyright ©1983 by NATUREGRAPH Publishers, Inc., P.O. Box 1075, Happy Camp, CA 96039.

What’s This Activity About?

These three related activities show students that astronomy was important to ancient cultures and other present day cultures. Appropriate for early grades, the activities give students opportunities to decorate Sun symbols from various cultures, and to retell astronomical myths using felt puppets.

What Will Students Do?

Students learn about Sun symbols from different cultures and decorate or create their own to hang in the classroom or bring home. In the third activity, students retell an astronomical myth or legend to themselves, peers, or parents.

Tips and Suggestions

• See the "Skylore Bibliography" at the end of this section for an excellent listing of books containing myths and legends about astronomy.

• Have students create and decorate their own Sun symbols, or make up their own myths.

• The Sun signs, developed by cultures centuries old, like the other designs from Indian Designs, are excellent for mulitcultural and bilingual workshops, scouting and classroom projects. These designs can be used in many ways to illustrate skylore or for other crafts projects.

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